Contact

6138 Parran Hall
R-znvy: genhgu@cvgg.rqh
Primary Phone: 967-179-5413

Personal Statement

My current research is focused on addressing the social determinants of health—that is, addressing the quality of early childhood education that prepares young at-risk children for healthy growth and development. To that end, I have recently co-developed the Working for Kids: Building Skills: training program, copyright 2016 University of Pittsburgh. This is a novel, community-based participatory training program that teaches communities, parents and child care providers effective strategies to develop social-emotional, language and problem-solving skills in young children (ages 3-5 years) who are at- risk for experiencing adverse childhood experiences. This program focuses on providing parents and childcare workers with knowledge about early child brain development and skills to facilitate healthy growth and development among children in low SES communities in order to facilitate school readiness. For more information see: www.workingforkids.com

I was a recipient of a Pittsburgh Innovation Challenge Award (PinCh) along with Dr. Judy Cameron (PI) for the development and pilot testing of the Working for Kids: Building Skills training program. We are currently conducting a pilot study to test the feasibility of the training program in conjunction with our community partner—Family Care Connection Family Resource Centers of Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh. We have also worked with the Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh to develop a plan to market the training program nationally and internationally. See the Working for Kids (WFK) website: www.workingforkids.com for information on the three levels of training and fee schedule.

Teaching

I teach several graduate courses including three doctoral seminars and a masters’ level health behavior theory course. I also oversee DrPH students in their required fieldwork experiences. I also serve on several thesis and dissertation committees each year.
BCHS 2520: Theories of Health Behavior & Health Education
BCHS 3004: Integrative Research Seminar: Grant Writing
BCHS 3555: Doctoral Seminar in BCHS Theories and Models
BCHS 3703: DrPH Executive Management Practicum

Service

I currently direct the BCHS Doctoral Program. This involves overseeing the admission of new students each year, assistance with new student orientation, on-going academic advising throughout the year, overseeing the qualifying exams process for all first year doctoral students, curriculum issues and monitoring student performance.
I have also served on various GSPH school-wide standing committees such as Planning and Budget Policies Committee (PBPC), Faculty Advancement, Promotion and Tenure Committee (FAPTC), and I served as the President of the GSPH Faculty Senate (2008-2009). In addition, I have served on the recent GSPH reaccreditation committee, BCHS faculty search committees and the annual GSPH Dean’s Day.
I am a member of the Editorial Board, Family & Community Health Journal. And, I also review for numerous public health journals including: American Journal of Preventive Medicine; Pediatrics, BMC Health Services Research, Family & Community Health, Health Education & Behavior. I also review grants for NIH/NCI on a regular basis.
2015 Chair-Elect, DrPH Council, ASPPH
2016 Chair, DrPH Council, ASPPH.
I am a member of Temple Sinai Tikkun Olam, Social Justice Center in Pittsburgh and an active member of my neighborhood civic association.

Selected Publications

The following are selected publications that reflect the range of my research interests as well as publications with students.

Jessica G. Burke, Jeanette Trauth and Steven Albert. Chapter 1: Community Health Research in the 21st Century, in Methods for Community Public Health Research: Integrated and Engaged Approaches. Springer Publishing, March 2014.